Gate-latch



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.-

S. D. MUSE.

GATE LATCH.

No. 801,827. Patented 'July8, 1884.

WITNESSES mun-"nun" s v V OR u Attorney 5.

(No Model.' 2 Sheets-Shem;

D. MUSE.

GATE LATCH. N0; 301,827. Patented July 8,1884.

N. PETERS. PlwlwLiihngrapMr. Whhinglm. D C.

UNITED STATES PAT NT OFFICE.

" SAMUEL DUNN MUSE, on MONTIGELLO, inssissirri.

GATE-LATCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters PatentNo. 301,827, dated July 8,1884.

I Application filed August 25. 1883. (N0 model.)

To aZZ whom' it'WI/CLZ/ concern:

Beit known that I, SAMUEL D. Music, a citizen of the United States,residing at Monticello, in the county of Lawrence and State ofMississippi, have invented a new and useful Gate-Latch, of which thefollowing is a specification, reference beinghad to the accompanyingdrawings. M

This invention relates to gate-latches of the class adapted to be usedin connection with a gate such as shown in my Patent No. 280,754, ofJuly 3, 1883, in which the gate is adapted to be swung in eitherdirection by suitable pull-cords, the gate being so pivoted that whenthe pull-cords are operated its forwardv end will be elevated todisengage the catches from the latch.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a gate embodying myimproved latch mechanism. Fig. 2 is a detail side view of a part of theforward end of the gate and the front or latch post. Fig. 3 is ahorizontal sectional view of the same, taken on the line 2 .2, Fig. 2.Fig. 4: is a detail plan view of the lower side of the catch. Fig. 5is adetail plan view, partly in section, of the upper side of the catch.Fig. 6 is a detail plan View of the double-catch case, thecap-platebeingremoved, and showing a slight modification in form. Fig. 7is a detail plan view of the capplate of the double-catch case. Fig. 8is a detail plan View of the single-catch case, the capplate being Iremoved, and showing a slight modification in form. Fig. 9 is a detailface view and a sectional elevation of the singlecatch-case base-plate.'Fig.'1O is a detail plan View of the single-catch-case cap-plate. Fig.11 is a detail front elevation of the stationary latch. Fig. 12 is adetail side view of the same.

Referring to the drawings, Adesignates the gate. B is the front or latchpost. 0 is the rear or hinge post. D D are the latch-posts at each sidethe hinge-post; and E E are the pull-cords, that extend to theselatch-posts, these parts being of any suitable construction.

My improved latch consists, broadly, in the combination, with the saidposts and the front bar of the gate, of cases, spring-pressed catches,and a stationary latch, whereby the gate is fastened into place whenswung open; and, also,

in the combination, with the front post and the front bar of the gatehavinga stationary latch, of a double case and two spring-actuatedcatches, whereby thegate is fastened in place automatically when it isswung shut from either side; and, also, in the combination,with

the front bar of the gate and the spring-pressed catches, of leverswhereby the catches can be forced back to release the gate.

' The object of my invention is to provide a latch possessing superioradvantages in point of simplicity, durability, inexpensiveness, andgeneral efficiency.

To the front post, 13, is attached a horizontal case or slotted bar, m,to the ends of which are pivoted the outer ends of the two catches a n,that have their outer edges inclinedor curved, and are pressed outwardlyby springs o o, projecting from the case m. The outwardmovement of thecatches a 11,, caused by the springs, is limited by toes or projections12, formed at the inner corners of the inner ends of the catches, andcoming against a shoulder on the case m, as shown. The catches a a areof such a length as to leave a space between their inner ends to receivethe projecting flange of a latcheplate, q. that is fixed on the frontbar of the gate. By this arrangement, when the gate is swung shutfromeither side,

the latch qv strikes, pushes back, and passes one of the catches a, andstrikes against and is stopped by the inner end of the other catch n. Atthe same time, as soon as the latch g has passed, the other catch asprings out to its normal position, and the gate is fastened shut. 'Toopen the gate it is only necessary to pull one of the cords E to effectthe raising of thefront end of the gate, when the latch q is elevatedabove the catches a, and the gate will swing open by its own weight. Thegate can. be closed by pullingzupon the other cord E, the operation ofthe mechanism being the same as 1n opening.

Directly to the side posts, D I), or to brackets 1', attached to saidposts, are secured cases or slotted bars 8, carrying single catches t,held out by springs to, and limited in outward movement by toes c, whichengage with a sh oulder on the said case .9, these cases being similarin construction to one end half of the case m. The catches i will beengaged automaticallyby the latch q, to hold the gate open.

If desired, the gate can be fastened open by spring-latches 20, attachedat the front end of the bottom bar of the gate, and adapted to engagestationary pins or catches w on the side posts, D D.

On opposite sides of the front bar of the gate are pivoted smallhand-levers an ac, the rear ends of which are adapted to be convenientlygrasped and operated. The forward, ends of these levers are widened andbent downward, so as to overlap the forward side of the front bar of thegate upon the opposite sides of the stationary latch q. By operatingthese levers the wide ends will be forced outward, so as to press backthe catches n and allow the gate to be swung open. This enablespedestrians to readily open the gate without operating the pull-cords toraise the forward end.

If desired, treadles can be connected with the levers x x, to enablepedestrians to operate the said levers with their feet.

The operating and gate mechanism herein set forth is of the constructionshown in my above-mentioned patent. No claim to such mechanism is madein this application, it being merely shown as the form I prefer to usein connection with my improved gate-latch.

I claim as my invention- The combination of the latch-post B, the doublecase m, secured thereto and formed with the central shoulders, thecatches pivoted to the case m, and having the inner toes or projections,12, the springs 0 o, projecting from the case, the end bar of thegate,the latch flange or plate secured thereto, and the levers x 00, pivotedat the side of said bar, and having the downwardly-projecting andwidened ends adapted to engage the catches, substantially as and for thepurpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in presence of two witnesses.

SAMUEL DUNN MUSE.

Witnesses:

Ron-J.- BowERs, XV. M. GARLAND.

